Is violence the last refuge of the incompetent?

Question

Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent.
-Isaac Asimov

Answer 1

Yes.

There are three types of action/reaction: passive, assertive & aggressive. The (incompetent) passive person doesn't know what to do or is afraid to act, so they do nothing. The (competent) assertive person knows what to do & takes appropriate action. The (incompetent) aggressive person doesn't know what to do but thinks it's better to take an action than nothing, so they act out of haste & anger and use violence to mask their fear of inadequacy.

People who don't know how to assert themselves properly and who have problems with anger will lash out at others. A competent person has no reason to be violent because they realize that there is a rational, non-violent solution to the problem. An incompetent person without a violent streak will just do nothing or will ask for help. The incompetent person with hostility & pride/ego issues will try to hide their own insecurities and fears by using brute force against others. Some people would rather kill someone than appear stupid. Of course nothing is more stupid than taking a life unnecessarily. What does an incompetent student do? Start fights or bully kids on the playground. What does the incompetent husband do? Beat his wife & kids. What does an incompetent leader do? Declare war...

Answer 2

It's definitely not the last - the incompetent go to it much sooner!

But the idea that violence has no place in our existence is hopelessly idealistic. Ask any policeman or security guard whether violence is unnecessary. Ask anyone who has ever cared for a hopelessly insane person. Ask your grandfather if he remembers a world with Adolph Hitler.

Violence is appropriately the last hope of restraint for forces in this world that must be restrained. And as long as there are incompetents in power around the globe, like Kim Jong-il of North Korea, the capability to exact violence is necessary.

Xan Shui,
Philosophical Philanthropist, Honest Man

Answer 3

Incompetent?, no it is the punishment from the task master who attempts to confine and hold hostage(s) for a number to brand as their own.and to further make false claims for a rightful ownership it is hoped will be the end count, yet there is the twist of fate to that head.

Answer 4

Yes, violence is what incompetent people do when they have made their pathetically inadequate efforts using other methods (and it's one of the first options considered by total idiots). Compromise takes diplomatic skill as well as emotional self-mastery.

Answer 5

In my experience, it's often the first refuge, eh? ;-) Take a look at the strategies of the troglodytes running our country, zum beispiel, por ejemplo, etc.

Answer 6

yes..true
coz suicide is caused by feeling of weakness inside...

violence is the expression of extreme weakness "not strength".

Answer 7

Probably, and I hope it never comes to that.